self-expression theory

self-expression theory stems from fashion psychology, and is the idea that we use clothing to communicate our personality, values, and emotions to the world. its a creative outlet that helps us explore different aspects of ourselves, particularly the parts we want others to see and value, boosting our overall confidence

self-expression theory can also be applied to how we decorate our homes; the parts of ourselves we value most inform our design choices, communicating our personality to those who visit

some easy ways to express yourself through interior design:

• indoor plants communicates an interest in nature and the outdoors

• vintage furniture and homeware show an interest in sustainability and the environment

• minimalist decor might demonstrate a rejection of capitalism and consumerism

• holiday souvenirs highlights an interest in travel and culture

• book shelves might show you value education, academia or have a particular interest eg in film, design etc

according to the theory, the more our space reflects our individual personality, the more authentically we live and the more connected we feel to our true selves